We are what we eat!  Unfortunately it’s true that everything we eat can affect us either for the best or otherwise, and if we want a healthy head of hair then the food we eat is important.  If you eat well and exercise then, like animals, you’ll develop a glossy healthy looking coat.   If your diet is not perfect you aren’t suddenly going to go bald although you may experience poor hair growth and quality.

One of the primary causes of thinning hair in women is a lack of iron.   Hair is sensitive to this lack, whilst tiredness can indicate anemia.   Increasing red meat, dark green vegetables, pulses, wholegrain and dried apricots helps maintain iron stores.   Vitamin C aids iron absorption so drinking fresh fruit juice is a boon. 

Protein is also important so make sure you are getting enough in your diet by eating foods that include meat, cheese, beans, seeds, grains, pulses and eggs.   (Vegetarians should ensure that a lack of meat in their diet is supplemented adequately with other folds so as to ensure the right protein levels are maintained).  If your diet contains the above then you probably won’t need to take supplements but remember Niacin (B3) and Pantothenic (B5) are important for healthy hair.  This is why some modern shampoos advertise the inclusion of these important elements in their shampoo contents.

Make sure you eat a varied diet.  This ensures you get the right balance of the vitamins and minerals.  Unvaried diets can lead to thinning hair, over a period of say 4 to 5 years, so the effects are obvious to start with.   Bad or chronic dieting can lead to chronic hair thinning.  Taking plenty of exercise completes the cycle of hair care.  Staying fit means the blood circulates more efficiently, leading to healthier hair follicles.   The follicles get the nutrition they need from the blood, so the healthier you are the healthier your crop of hair will be.

Looking after your hair

Having fed yourself correctly to achieve healthy hair, maintaining the outward appearance of it is also very important.  Shampooing correctly is also very important.   So here are a few tips to help you:

·                       You can wash your hair every day, especially if you live and work in a place where there is airborne dirt and pollution.  Contrary to popular belief it doesn’t harm your hair to be washed daily.

·                       Make sure the shampoo use is correct for you.  Nourishing and strengthening pro-vitamin shampoos are especially important for, treated premed and sun-damage hair.

·                       Don’t use too much shampoo.  The amount to use will depend on the length of your hair and how concentrated the shampoo is. An amount the size of a 50p piece for short hair; slightly more for longer hair.

·                       There is no need to wash hair more than once, and make sure the water isn’t too hot as it could irritate the scalp.

·                       Stroke, don’t rub and focus the shampoo at the roots where oil collects around the sebaceous glands.

·                       Massage the shampoo into the scalp but not too vigorously or for too long as you could traumatize your hair and cause it to break.   To stimulate circulation and increase blood flow to the root area give your scalp a good massage thus encouraging healthy growth.  Starting at the top of the scalp, move backwards, finishing at the nape of the neck.

·                       When using conditioner, stroke it down from the middle end to the ends of the hair.  Using a conditioner will help smooth the outer surface of the hair, reducing friction when combing.  Force combining is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair.

·                       Make sure you rinse your hair thoroughly; poor rinsing is one of the main causes of dull hair.  To test your hair is rinsed correctly it should squeak when you slide your fingers through it.

·                       Pat your hair dry.  When wet hair is quite vulnerable so rubbing, especially vigorously can damage it and cause it to break.   Try not to pull your hair into a tight ponytail as it can, in extreme cases, weaken the roots leading eventually to hair loss.

·                       Avoid overuse of hair dryers and heated rollers as these can dehydrate the scalp leaving the hair dry and weak.

Problem hair and what to do.

Most mild passing imbalances or problems can be solved with off-the-shelf products.  However, if the problem persists then you may need to see your G. P. who would refer you to a *Trichologist, someone who treats hair and scalp problems. 

Dandruff - shedding cells from the scalp is a normal part of development.   You loose old cells as new ones grow.   However, dandruff is something more; it is caused by a fungal yeast imbalance.  For this you need a shampoo containing ingredients such as zinc, paraffin, selenium sulphide and Cade oil.  (Cade is a plant oil with antiseptic and strengthening properties).

With sensitive scalps be careful when shampooing, using flat hands and doing the final rinse in cold water to close the pores.  If dandruff causes itching try changing your shampoo.  If the problem persists see a Trichologist .

Greasy hair – is excess secretion of oil and is linked to stress. Washing your hair daily can reduce the oil secretion if you use the right sort of shampoo.  Make sure you choose products without detergents or moisturising contents and don’t use conditioners.

Hair Loss - There has been an increase in thinning hair in 25 to 35 year olds usually caused by poor nutrition including anemia. Stress can also be a problem. It has been reported that 30% of British women suffer from diffuse hair thinning.  In normal circumstances 85% of hair follicles are growing, whilst 15% are resting.   However, under stress the resting follicles can double, resulting in thinning hair.  Keep your lifestyle and diet right and your hair will give you little problem

* Institute of Trichologists will provide information on and help in finding your local practitioner. Tel: (870)-607-0602